The Horrific Murder of Margaret Douglas: Ohio Teen Sentenced for Killing 98-Year-Old Wadsworth Woman
The disappearance of 98-year-old Margaret Douglas in April 2018 sent shockwaves through the quiet Ohio community where she had spent most of her life. When her nephew Howard Leisure reported her missing on April 9th, police immediately recognized the urgency of finding such a vulnerable elderly person. Despite initial search efforts throughout her home and neighborhood, officials found no trace of Margaret, who had last been seen alive on April 5th.
Tragically, the search ended when Howard and his wife Cindy arrived to help. While examining Margaret's closet, Howard made the horrific discovery of his aunt's body hidden beneath a pile of clothing. The scene revealed disturbing evidence of a brutal attack - Margaret's torn nightgown, visible bruising, and signs of strangulation. Police also found evidence suggesting sexual assault, including DNA that would later become crucial to the investigation. As detectives processed the crime scene, they began piecing together the final days of a woman who had lived nearly a century only to meet such a violent end.
Key Takeaways
Margaret Douglas's body was discovered by her nephew Howard hidden in a closet of her home with evidence of strangulation and sexual assault.
The 98-year-old victim had lived independently in her Wadsworth home, rarely locking her doors due to her trusting nature in a normally safe neighborhood.
Investigators found crucial physical evidence including DNA and a discarded plastic glove, suggesting the crime was premeditated rather than a random burglary gone wrong.
The Disappearance of Margaret Douglas
Margaret Douglas, a 98-year-old resident of Ohio, was reported missing on April 9, 2018, when her nephew Howard Leer called police after a friend's concerning visit. Having not seen Margaret for days, authorities immediately initiated a search at her home, where she lived alone.
Police thoroughly searched the residence and questioned neighbors about the elderly woman's whereabouts. Margaret had last been seen alive on April 5, with her family having no contact since April 3—nearly a week before the search began.
That evening, Howard and his wife Cindy arrived to assist with the search. Since Margaret never had children, her nieces and nephews had taken on caregiving responsibilities for her. They knew her habits intimately, including her ever-present red wallet and typical attire.
While searching through the house, Howard made a horrifying discovery in the closet. What began as noticing clothes scattered on the floor became a traumatic moment when he found Margaret's favorite shoes—still attached to her body. Her remains had been forced into a tiny closet space measuring just 1.5 by 2.5 feet.
The scene revealed disturbing details:
Margaret was wearing a torn nightgown
Her head was positioned down in the corner
Bruises covered her head
Marks on her neck suggested strangulation
Her undergarments were torn
A jar of blackberry jam was found in the living room with male DNA inside, suggesting sexual assault
Born on September 15, 1919, in Akron, Ohio, Margaret had outlived her two sisters and brother. Her long life had spanned numerous historical events, from the Great Depression to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Margaret had worked at O'Neal's department store in Akron during her youth, a job that complemented her social nature. After the war, she married Donald Douglas, an army veteran employed by the Ohio Match Company. The couple shared simple pleasures like traveling, watching Cleveland Indians games, and gardening from their Wadsworth home.
Following Donald's death in 2000, Margaret continued living in their shared home. She maintained a trusting nature and rarely locked her doors, relying on family and neighbors for support with groceries and regular check-ins.
Forensics teams collected DNA and fingerprints from the scene, ruling out family members as suspects. Investigators initially theorized a burglary gone wrong, noting Margaret's missing red wallet. A discarded plastic glove found in the backyard suggested premeditation—the killer had likely worn it to avoid leaving evidence.
The murder shocked the tight-knit community. Police discovered a pattern of recent car break-ins nearby and noticed David Clinkenbeard, Margaret's former neighbor, watching the investigation closely. His knowledge of undisclosed details raised suspicions, but DNA testing eventually cleared him.
Another lead emerged from an attempted carjacking on April 8 involving Paul Shayad, a 50-year-old church worker. Initial inconsistencies in Paul's story prompted further investigation. When confronted with CCTV footage contradicting his claims about picking up a limping young man, Paul admitted he had actually met the young man through a hookup app and was concerned about his church discovering this information.
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The Initial Investigation
On April 9, 2018, Howard Leisure made a distressed call to Ohio police, reporting his 98-year-old aunt Margaret Douglas missing. Authorities immediately launched a search operation, recognizing the vulnerability of the elderly woman. Officers began by searching her home and questioning neighbors about her whereabouts.
The timeline quickly became concerning. Margaret was last seen alive on April 5, while her family hadn't heard from her since April 3—nearly a week before the search commenced. By evening, with no leads uncovered, Margaret's nephew Howard and his wife Cindy arrived to assist.
Having no children of her own, Margaret relied on her nieces and nephews for care. Howard, familiar with his aunt's habits and belongings, noticed clothing scattered across her closet floor. While examining the items, he made a horrific discovery: Margaret's body had been forced into the small 1.5 by 2.5 foot closet space.
The crime scene revealed disturbing details. Margaret was found in her nightgown, which was torn, with bruises on her head and strangulation marks on her neck. Her positioning and the condition of her undergarments suggested sexual assault. Police also discovered a jar of blackberry jam in the living room that contained male DNA, apparently used as a lubricant during the attack.
Born on September 15, 1919, in Akron, Ohio, Margaret had lived a full life spanning nearly a century. She had outlived her siblings and witnessed major historical events from the Great Depression to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Her professional life included working at O'Neal's department store, which complemented her sociable nature.
Margaret had married Donald Douglas, an army veteran, and they built a life together in their Wadsworth home. Though childless, they enjoyed traveling, Cleveland Indians games, and gardening. After Donald's death in 2000, Margaret remained in their home, finding comfort in familiar surroundings.
Forensic teams collected DNA and fingerprints from the scene, testing samples against family members with no matches found. A plastic glove discovered in the backyard suggested premeditation—the killer likely wore it to avoid leaving evidence but carelessly discarded it during escape.
Investigators initially considered a burglary gone wrong, noting Margaret's missing red wallet. There were no signs of forced entry, but this wasn't surprising as Margaret rarely locked her doors, trusting her neighbors and community. The crime shocked the tight-knit neighborhood, leaving everyone on edge.
Police expanded their investigation by examining a pattern of recent car break-ins nearby. They noticed David Clinkenbeard, Margaret's former neighbor, watching the crime scene closely. His detailed knowledge of undisclosed facts about Margaret's death raised suspicions, prompting police to bring him in for questioning on April 11.
Clinkenbeard claimed he last saw Margaret on April 4 when helping with her trash cans, and visited again on April 8 but received no answer. When his DNA didn't match the sample from the discarded glove, investigators cleared him and pursued another lead: an attempted carjacking reported on April 8.
The victim, Paul Shayad, initially claimed he stopped to help a limping young man who then stole his car. However, CCTV footage contradicted this account, showing a conversation through the passenger window before the young man entered the vehicle—with no visible limp. When confronted, Paul admitted meeting the young man through a dating app, concerned about his church discovering the truth about the encounter.
Family Involvement
Finding the Missing Aunt
Howard Leisure made a distressing call to Ohio police on April 9th, 2018, reporting his 98-year-old aunt Margaret Douglas missing. When a family friend checked on Margaret and found her home empty for three days, concern immediately grew. Police launched a search operation, recognizing the vulnerability of someone of Margaret's advanced age.
The investigation revealed Margaret was last seen alive on April 5th, with no family contact since April 3rd—nearly a week before the search began. By evening on April 9th, with no results from the initial search, Howard and his wife Cindy arrived to assist authorities. Since Margaret never had children, her nieces and nephews had taken on caretaking responsibilities, treating her like their own mother.
Howard knew his aunt's habits well—her red wallet she carried everywhere, her clothing preferences, and her daily routines. This familiarity would lead to the tragic discovery that would forever change his life.
Family Support Network
Margaret Douglas maintained close connections with her extended family throughout her later years. Without children of her own, she relied heavily on her nieces and nephews for practical assistance and companionship. These family members helped with groceries and regular check-ins, forming an essential support system for the elderly woman.
Born in 1919 in Akron, Ohio, Margaret had outlived her two sisters and brother by 2018. After working at O'Neal's department store in her youth, she married Donald Douglas, an army veteran. The couple built a life together in their Wadsworth home until Donald's passing in 2000.
Margaret maintained her independence in their family home after her husband's death, finding comfort in familiar surroundings and neighborhood connections. Her trust in those around her was reflected in how she rarely locked her doors—a trust that was ultimately betrayed in the most horrific way possible.
The investigation into her murder required police to thoroughly examine all aspects of Margaret's life and relationships. Her family members confirmed she wasn't wealthy and had prepared a will, eliminating financial motives for her death. Those closest to her emphasized that Margaret simply wasn't the type of person to make enemies during her nearly century-long life.
Timeline of Margaret's Final Days
Last Known Public Appearance
Margaret Douglas was last seen alive at her residence on April 5th, 2018. This final sighting came just days before her family would report her missing. The 98-year-old woman was known to maintain regular habits in her Wadsworth home, where she had lived for decades after her husband Donald's passing in 2000.
Neighbors noted nothing unusual about Margaret's activities in early April. She typically kept to herself but was friendly when encountered. Her home, which rarely had its doors locked due to Margaret's trusting nature, showed no signs of forced entry when later examined by investigators.
Family's Communication Gap
Margaret's relatives had not received any communication from her since April 3rd, 2018, approximately six days before the search for her began. This extended silence was unusual for the elderly woman, who maintained regular contact with her family members.
On April 9th, her nephew Howard Leisure grew concerned enough to contact police after a friend checked Margaret's home and found no sign of her. Howard and his wife Cindy promptly traveled to the residence to assist with the search efforts.
The lack of contact was particularly concerning given Margaret's age and vulnerability. Since she never had children of her own, her nieces and nephews had taken on caretaking responsibilities, making them intimately familiar with her daily routines and habits. This knowledge would ultimately lead to the tragic discovery of Margaret's body when Howard recognized her shoes in a closet during their search of the home.
The Crime Investigation
House Inspection
The investigation of Margaret Douglas's disappearance began on April 9th, 2018, when her nephew Howard Leer contacted authorities. Initial search efforts focused on her residence, where officers called her name but received no response. The property showed no signs of forced entry, which wasn't surprising as Margaret rarely locked her doors due to her trusting nature.
Her nephew Howard and his wife Cindy joined the search efforts that evening. While examining the closet, Howard made the devastating discovery of Margaret's body hidden beneath a pile of scattered clothing. The small closet, measuring only 1.5 by 2.5 feet, contained her remains in a disturbing position.
Collected Forensic Materials
Investigators recovered several key pieces of evidence from the scene. A plastic glove discarded in the backyard suggested premeditation, as the perpetrator likely wore it to avoid leaving fingerprints or DNA. Margaret's red wallet was missing from the home, initially pointing to a possible robbery motive.
A jar of blackberry jam found in the living room became a critical piece of evidence. Testing revealed it contained male DNA samples, indicating it had been repurposed during the assault. Forensic teams meticulously gathered fingerprints and additional DNA samples throughout the residence for comparison against family members and potential suspects.
Evidence of Assault
Margaret's body showed clear signs of violence and sexual assault. She was found wearing her nightgown, which had been torn and unsnapped. Her undergarments were damaged, and her bra had been pulled upward. The positioning of her body—head down in the corner with her backside elevated—further suggested sexual assault.
Visible bruising covered her head, and markings on her neck indicated strangulation as a likely cause of death. The presence of male DNA in the jam jar provided forensic confirmation of sexual assault, adding a disturbing dimension to the already heinous crime against the 98-year-old woman.
Margaret Douglas' Background
Margaret Douglas was born on September 15, 1919, in Akron, Ohio. She lived almost 98 years before her tragic death in April 2018. Throughout her long life, she witnessed numerous historical events from the Great Depression to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Her life story represents nearly a century of American history through the lens of an ordinary yet remarkable woman.
Personal History
Margaret grew up alongside two sisters and one brother, all of whom she outlived by 2018. During her younger years, she worked at O'Neal's department store in Akron, a position that complemented her sociable personality. This job allowed her to connect with many people and build lasting relationships throughout the community.
After World War II, Margaret married Donald Douglas, a veteran who worked for the Ohio Match Company. Together they created a home filled with simple pleasures such as:
Traveling to new destinations
Watching Cleveland Indians baseball games
Tending to their garden
Though the couple never had children, they built a fulfilling life together. Donald passed away in 2000, leaving Margaret to live her remaining years in their shared home.
Her Life in Ohio
Margaret spent nearly her entire life in Ohio, making it the center of her world and identity. After her husband's death, she continued living in their Wadsworth home, finding comfort in familiar surroundings and neighborly connections. Her daily routine reflected her independence despite her advanced age.
She relied on a support network of family and neighbors:
Her nephew Howard and his wife Cindy helped with groceries
Neighbors regularly checked on her wellbeing
Friends maintained connections with her
Margaret was known for keeping her doors unlocked, demonstrating her trust in the community around her. Without children of her own, her nieces and nephews became her primary caregivers, treating her with the devotion typically reserved for a parent. Her neighborhood connections were vital to her quality of life in her final years.
The Investigation Unfolds
Detective Theories
Investigators initially suspected a burglary gone wrong as they noted Margaret's red wallet was missing from the scene. Despite no signs of forced entry, this wasn't unusual—at 98 years old, Margaret rarely locked her doors, trusting her community.
A discarded plastic glove found in the backyard suggested premeditation. The killer likely wore it to avoid leaving evidence but carelessly dropped it during a hasty escape. This critical piece of evidence contained DNA that would later prove invaluable to the investigation.
Forensic teams meticulously collected evidence from the crime scene, including DNA samples and fingerprints. The disturbing positioning of Margaret's body and the condition of her clothing pointed to a sexual assault, further confirmed by a jar of blackberry jam in the living room that contained male DNA when tested.
Family Accounts
Margaret's nephew Howard and his wife Cindy arrived to assist with the search on April 9th. Since Margaret never had children, her nieces and nephews had taken on caretaking responsibilities, treating her like their own mother.
Howard made the horrific discovery while searching Margaret's closet. "I immediately thought there was a sexual element," Howard later stated. "I pretty much lost it... something I'll never forget, to find her like that."
When interviewed, family members confirmed Margaret wasn't wealthy and had already prepared a will, eliminating financial gain as a potential motive. They described a woman who had lived a peaceful life spanning nearly a century, working at O'Neal's department store in her youth and sharing a fulfilling marriage with her late husband Donald until his passing in 2000.
Neighborhood Inquiry
Police questioned local residents to establish a timeline and gather information. They learned Margaret was last seen alive on April 5th, though her family hadn't heard from her since April 3rd—nearly a week before the search began.
Neighbor David Clinkenbeard drew suspicion when he appeared at the crime scene, demonstrating knowledge of details not yet made public. When questioned, he stated he had last seen Margaret on April 4th helping with her trash cans. Though initially suspicious, DNA testing cleared him as a suspect.
Investigators discovered a pattern of recent car break-ins nearby, potentially connected to the crime. This led them to investigate an attempted carjacking on April 8th involving Paul Shayad, a 50-year-old church worker. When confronted with surveillance footage contradicting his initial statement, Paul admitted to a different scenario—he had met a young man through a dating app, creating another potential lead in Margaret's case.
Key Suspect Investigation
Neighbor's Unusual Interest
David Clinkenbeard, a former neighbor of Margaret Douglas, drew police attention with his peculiar behavior during the investigation. Officers noticed him lingering near Margaret's residence, smoking and observing police activities with unusual interest. When questioned, investigators were troubled by his knowledge of non-public case details, including the precise location of Margaret's body and her clothing at time of death.
Police brought Clinkenbeard in for formal questioning on April 11th, two days after the discovery of Margaret's remains. He provided a timeline claiming he last saw her alive on April 4th when assisting with her trash cans. Clinkenbeard stated he returned on April 8th, but received no response when knocking, assuming she wanted privacy.
Dismissal as Potential Perpetrator
Despite initial suspicions, forensic evidence ultimately cleared David Clinkenbeard. DNA testing comparing his profile against samples from the discarded plastic glove found in Margaret's backyard showed no match. Investigators concluded he was not responsible for the crime but merely a concerned former neighbor attempting to understand what had happened.
Following Clinkenbeard's exoneration, police shifted focus to other leads, particularly a series of nearby car break-ins. One incident involving local church worker Paul Shayad proved especially significant. Shayad initially reported an attempted carjacking by a limping young man, but surveillance footage contradicted his account, showing a non-limping youth entering his vehicle after a conversation through the passenger window.
When confronted with this evidence, Shayad admitted fabricating his story. He revealed meeting the young man through a dating app and wanted to conceal this fact from his church employers.
Related Criminal Patterns
Vehicle Theft Series
Recent vehicle break-ins around the neighborhood formed a pattern that investigators couldn't ignore. Small items and spare change had been disappearing from cars in the vicinity before Margaret Douglas's murder. These seemingly minor crimes gained new significance as detectives searched for connections to the homicide.
Law enforcement quickly identified these incidents as potential precursors to more serious criminal activity. The proximity and timing of these thefts suggested a perpetrator becoming increasingly familiar with the area, possibly escalating their criminal behavior.
False Statement in Vehicle Theft Case
A peculiar attempted carjacking incident on April 8th—just one day before Margaret's body was discovered—drew investigators' attention. Paul Shayad, a 50-year-old church worker, initially reported that he had stopped to help a limping young man under 20 years old, who then allegedly stole his vehicle.
When police examined surveillance footage, they found significant discrepancies in Paul's story:
Paul's Initial Claim What Footage Showed Stopped to help limping young man Young man showed no signs of limping Young man lunged into driver's seat Paul and young man talked through window for minutes Immediate theft Young man entered car, Paul exited minutes later, then young man drove away
Confronted with this evidence, Paul admitted fabricating his story. He revealed he had actually met the young man through a dating app and consented to the meeting, only becoming concerned about his church discovering his activities.
The timing of this incident—April 8th—placed it directly between Margaret's last confirmed sighting on April 5th and the discovery of her body on April 9th. This potential encounter with the same individual who may have targeted Margaret became a critical focus for investigators.
The Case's Impact on the Community
The brutal murder of Margaret Douglas sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Wadsworth neighborhood. Residents who had grown accustomed to feeling safe in their homes suddenly found themselves locking doors and windows. The fact that a 98-year-old woman could be victimized in such a horrific manner left many questioning their security.
Margaret was well-known in the community as a trusting soul who rarely locked her doors. Her friendly nature and nearly century-long presence in Ohio made her a fixture in the neighborhood. After spending decades working at O'Neal's department store in Akron, she had built numerous connections throughout the area.
The discovery of her body on April 9th, 2018, transformed the community's sense of well-being. Margaret's nephew Howard and his wife Cindy, who had taken on caring roles in her later years, faced the unimaginable trauma of finding her body hidden in a closet. The circumstances of her death—with clear signs of sexual assault and strangulation—heightened fears among vulnerable residents.
Local police increased patrols following the murder, particularly after connecting it with a pattern of recent car break-ins. Neighbors began checking on each other more frequently, establishing informal support networks to ensure elderly residents weren't isolated. Community watch programs saw increased participation as residents sought to protect themselves and each other.
The investigation brought strangers into the neighborhood, including forensic teams and detectives who combed through Margaret's home looking for evidence. Their presence served as a constant reminder of the violence that had occurred, preventing residents from returning to normalcy.
For the elderly population in particular, Margaret's murder represented their worst fears realized. Many began refusing to open their doors to strangers or accept help from people they didn't know well. The trust that had characterized the neighborhood for generations seemed irreparably damaged.
